JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli government has officially approved plans to buy American-made F-35 stealth fighter jets.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Thursday that the purchase would significantly strengthen Israel's military, but gave no other details.
Israel is planning on buying 20 of the warplanes for nearly $3 billion and will begin receiving the jets by 2015.
The deal was approved by Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak on August 15.
The statement gives no details of the deal, but according to Israeli media reports the first batch of 20 planes would be delivered to Israel in 2015-17. The deal, worth some $3 million will be paid using U.S. military assistance.